On November 4, 1884, Election Day, the U.S. consisted of 38 states, populated by 55 million and 77.5% qualified to vote went to the polls. Woman and Native Americans were not eligible to vote. Black males, who legally could vote, were not welcomed at the polls especially in the southern states. The public was worn-down by eight weeks of campaigning focused on personal reputations versus the issues impacting the country. How wonderful to only have eight weeks compared to years. 
 
The campaigns were organized operations combining entertainment with passionate debates that either joined communities together or divided them. The Australian (secret) ballot was not universally adopted in the U.S. until after the 1884 election. So the process could be very intimidating if you wanted to vote against the popular consensus. For the entrepreneur who sold political memorabilia like handkerchiefs, mugs, posters, and buttons it was a money machine. 

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The Election Results​

The election was one of the closest in U.S. history, with Governor Grover Cleveland of New York winning the popular vote by 23,000 over James Blaine. The Third Party candidates certainly had an impact on the election receiving a combined three percent of the votes. New York with winner takes all 36 Electoral votes was the deciding state.  The election results were not known for several weeks as the votes were counted and recounted.

President Grover Cleveland Inauguration - March 4, 1884 (Click photo for information on Cleveland)